Pima Museum scores Philippine Mars

The British Columbia Aviation Museum announced last month that it had acquired Martin JRM Hawaii Mars, and yesterday the Pima Air and Space Museum (PimaAir.org) announced it has acquired the Philippine Mars.

Coulson Aviation said the Philippine Mars — one of just seven flying boats built by Martin JRM Mars — will be transported to the PASM east of Tucson later this year, according to a feature story by Vintage Aviation News.

“This has been an exciting month for both Martin Mars waterbombers,” said Coulson CEO Wayne Coulson. “As a fitting tribute to their years of service and years of hard work by many people in B.C. and the U.S., we are pleased to see both Mars aircraft landing to rest at world-class institutions in 2024.” The Mars aircraft were built between 1942 and 1947, and the giant aircraft flew cargo between Hawaii and the Pacific Islands in support of the U.S. Navy. After World War II the aircraft and crews flew in the Korean War, making medical air transport flights between Hawaii and California, and then doing hauling cargo between Hawaii and California before they were  decommissioned back in 1956.

The first was christened The Old Lady; after that the production planes were called Hawaii Mars, Philippine Mars, Marianas Mars, Marshall Mars, Hawaii Mars II (named after the original Hawaii Mars was destroyed), and lastly,  Caroline Mars. Hawaii and Philippine are the only Martin JRM Mars aircraft remaining today.

courtesy Maryland Aviation Museum -- mdairmuseum.org
courtesy Maryland Aviation Museum — mdairmuseum.org

In 1958 the remaining four were sold  to a consortium of timber companies in British Columbia and converted into waterbombers that could carry 7200 U.S. gallons. In 2007 Coulson purchased the Hawaii Mars and the Philippine Mars, launching its fixed-wing air operations for aerial wildland firefighting.

courtesy mdairmuseum.org/mars-history
courtesy mdairmuseum.org/mars-history

“We are pleased to have the Philippine Mars join our museum where we will preserve this World War II-era aircraft for decades to come,” said Scott Marchand, CEO of the museum at Pima. The Philippine Mars is expected  in Arizona later this year. The museum — at PimaAir.org — features some  400 historic aircraft, an amazing collection ranging from a Wright Flyer to a 787 Dreamliner.

Pima map
Pima map

Sited on 80 acres at the eastern edge of Tucson, the museum opened to the public in May of 1976 and has for 40+ years grown and expanded. Today the facility includes six indoor exhibit hangars (three dedicated to WWII), along with extensive outdoor grounds and interpretive displays and other features to welcome visitors and charm aviation enthusiasts. Admission’s under $20 with discounts for kids, seniors, and locals. The museum’s about 5 miles from the Tucson International Airport, and it’s open 7 days a week, closed only on Thanksgiving and Christmas. You can’t visit this place just once. 

Pima museum map
Pima museum map

Burro Fire near Tucson grows to over 19,000 acres

map Burro Fire Tucson Arizona

Above: Map of the perimeter of the Burro Fire. The red line was current at 11 pm MDT July 3, 2017. The white line was from 26 hours earlier.

(Originally published at 8:15 a.m. MDT July 4, 2017)
(Updated at 10:06 a.m. MDT July 4, 2017)

The Burro Fire on Monday expanded by another 7,770 acres to bring the total area burned up to 19,057 acres. It grew on the north side by about 1.5 miles and by 2. 5 miles on the south, but on the west side it is not much closer to the Catalina (Mt. Lemmon) Highway than it was Monday morning and is still more than a mile away. It is still about four miles from the northeastern outskirts of Tucson.

Firefighters are working on indirect firelines and protecting structures along the Catalina (Mt. Lemmon) Highway on the west side. On the south firefighters continued preparations along Redington Pass Road in case they need to protect or fire out from the road. Natural barriers are also being used to aid in suppression efforts.

map Burro Fire Tucson Arizona
A 3-D map of the perimeter of the Burro Fire looking southwest. The red line was current at 11pm MDT July 3, 2017. The white line was from 26 hours earlier.

On the lower slopes the fire is burning in tall grass and brush, with Ponderosa Pine and mixed conifer at the higher elevations. The fire covers an area ranging from 3,000 to 7,000 feet above sea level.

Airtankers and helicopters were used Monday to help delay the fire’s spread. With the high temperatures expected on Tuesday, the use of aircraft may be limited if it becomes too hot to fly as the density altitude becomes a problem.

The temperatures Tuesday will vary widely with the elevation. At 4,000′ the temperature should reach 100 degrees in mid-afternoon with 14 percent relative humidity and 10 mph winds out of the northwest gusting to 17. Higher up the mountain at 7,600′ the high will be 81, with 22 percent relative humidity and northwest winds at 10 with gusts to 15. Similar conditions are in the forecast for the rest of this week.

There is a chance of isolated thunderstorms Tuesday which could bring troublesome strong, erratic winds.

map Burro Fire Tucson Arizona
Map of the perimeter of the Burro Fire. The red line was current at 11pm MDT July 3, 2017. The white line was from 26 hours earlier.

An evacuation order is in effect for all residents along the Catalina (Mt. Lemmon) Highway from Mile Marker 0, to Summer Haven. The highway is closed. No public, including residents, will be allowed access into the area. The Redington Pass Road is closed between Mile Marker 2 and 14.